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Gen 1 STRUTS current options? AND Gen 1 TIRES 175/65r/14 vs 175/65r/15"

Discussion in 'Generation 1 Prius Discussion' started by lovemy02prius, Nov 3, 2018.

  1. lovemy02prius

    lovemy02prius Member

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    My 2002 Toyota Prius has 170k on it and needs a front end alignment and 2 new front tires so I've decided to DIY refresh the front end suspension

    struts inserts and replacement parts vs fully assembled kit

    Anyone have current experience about the choices available? I drive my car alot and sometimes transport heavy stuff or people so I'd like to get the better option. : )

    kyb-gr2 vs toyotas version (any difference?) any other options? anyone have links to purchase?

    Also anyone have brand / part numbers and links for the best option in:
    tie rod ends
    hubs
    ball joints
    sway bar end links

    Oh and TIRES!!! I have Mitchelim Defenders 175 65 14's
    My neighbor has 175 65 15 rims and hubcaps mounted with Blizaks for me but I don't see one thread about updating Gen 1 from 14" to 15" tires!!!!! Anyone have any input on this?

    Thanks!!!!!
     
  2. lovemy02prius

    lovemy02prius Member

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    I just need to do my front struts, back seems fairly good, so unless the deal and quality was so darn good it made sense to swap out all four now, I'm just seeking to do the front.

    Chapman and others recommend getting the upper and lower rubber spring insulators from Toyota as well as the Strut Mounts. I listed the parts numbers and what a local dealership quoted below! The dealer is pricy, the rubber spring insulators are affordable but the strut mounts are $144 apiece where I called Suburban Toyota.

    Correct Toyota parts for GEN 1 2001 2002 2003:
    Rubber spring insulators (fit above / below coil spring. above is also the pleated rubber cover)
    Uppers 48157-47010 $56.93 apiece
    Lowers 48158-47010 $19.78 apiece


    Strut mount part number: 4860947020 $144 per side

    Toyota branded kyb struts
    R 48510-49225 $179.06
    L 48520-49335 $179.06

    The Struts and strut mounts are expensive! is this dealer is over charging? lol From what I understand an aftermarket KYB instead of the Toyota-branded KYB struts & shocks is acceptable. Does anyone had a great results with either a particular strut model or assembled strut? Please send the details or links!

    And are there any other special parts I should swap for good measure? Me and a friend are doing this in my back yard DIY should so maybe take the opportunity to update the ball joints, outer tie rod ends, sway bar link bushings, hubs?

    I'll probably never do this project DIY again so and don't want to pay for labor in the future hahah


    ALSO
    Some folks on the forum mentioned these very affordable kits for suspension parts below:

    Has any one tried them and can report on experience and quality! I drive ALOT (Michigan ruff roads, lots of pot holes and long bad winters) so I rather get good quality if I can afford it!!

    $209 Four fully assembled Shocks
    All four shocks and springs plus maybe other items needed 01-03 Toyota Prius Quick Complete Struts & Coil Springs w/ Mounts Set x4 | eBay

    $205 Four fully assembled struts on Amazon
    All four including shocks and springs for 5% off their normal price of $209

    $53.99 Amazon.com DLZ 8 Pcs Front Suspension Kit-2
    Lower Ball Joint, 2 Inner 2 Outer Tie Rod End, 2 Sway Bar for 2001 2002 2003 Toyota Prius. $53.99 with an additional 5% off at checkout.
     
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  3. lovemy02prius

    lovemy02prius Member

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    I snooped around and apparently people say that Toyota uses theses exact struts (probably modifies them somehow) ............KYB Shocks & Struts 341321 - KYB Excel-G Gas Shocks and Struts

    DOES ANYONE HAVE EXPERIENCE WITH THESE????


    Hello? anyone out there??
     
  4. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Looking at a pdf of the Owner's Manual, I see 175/65R14 is the stock size. To go from 14" to 15", with the same 175/65 profile, is a phenomenal increase in tire diameter, effectively raising your car 1/2", throwing off the odometer, the "gearing" and so on.

    I don't really understand "My neighbor has..... for me"; I would say thanks but no thanks, lol.
     
  5. lovemy02prius

    lovemy02prius Member

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    Thanks for your advise Mendel Leisk! Everything you wrote makes sense to me.
    Just wondered because so many people do that on other cars.
     
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  6. PDX_jsf

    PDX_jsf Junior Member

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    I am currently in the middle of changing out the front struts.
    2001 model with 233,000 miles on it. It had mellow rattle-clunking on even minor road bumps. The rubber bits on the old shocks were visibly, thoroughly thrashed and the stabilizer bar ends seemed quite loose (I could easily turn the bars with my hand) so I am changing these out at the same time.

    I pre-ordered the parts from KYB brand including struts (333361and 333360), mounts (KYB - SM5474) and the plastic boots (SB101). Now that I have compressed the spring and disassembled the right strut, I see that the rubber insulators on top (OEM: 48157-47010) and bottom (KYB - SM5808) of the coil are also shot. If I had to do it again on a car this old I would order the quick struts where it comes assembled and you don't have to mess with compressing the springs and reassembling. Also, I am finding it difficult to find the upper coil spring insulators (48157-47010). Wish me luck. I'd like to be driving this car again soon.
     
  7. PDX_jsf

    PDX_jsf Junior Member

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    Also, looking at the parts closer now, it seems that I don't need the upper spring insulators 48157-47010, since I can still use the upper portion of the original 48157-47010 that cushions between the top plate (below the mount) and coil spring (the bellows portion of 48157-47010 got shredded and impacted into the old bump stop). I'll use the KYB plastic bellows and bump stop from SB108. Movin' on.
     
  8. 2002_Pri_Rod

    2002_Pri_Rod Member

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    I have been meaning to start a new thread with some details on replacing all four shocks and struts on my wife's 2001 and my 2002 - I will keep it as short as possible here - last year at income tax time decided both cars needed suspension upgrades - roughly 200,000 miles on each - talked with local north bay California hybrid shop which quoted me roughly $1500 to replace all 4 shocks and struts - decided to go another direction

    After some time on the internet found complete pre-assembled shock and strut assemblies for front and rear - one company FCT were $248 delivered for all four and another company UNITY were I think $264 plus shipping - we decided to try the FCT ones for my wife's car since her daily commute is about a mile and a half - all four assemblies arrived within a week - took me about three hours to change all 4 and she was good to go - significant improvement as it looked like the car had the original Toyota installed shocks and struts - car rides nice

    I drive a lot more - roughly 450 miles a week - often on windy roads - I decided to go with KYB but could not find a complete assembly - wound up spending a lot of time on the internet sourcing all the parts to build a complete assembly mostly KYB but springs were from Moog - supposedly stiffer springs - cost roughly $900 and then I needed to buy a spring compressor for about 25 bucks from Harbor Freight - once I had all the parts assembly time was about 5 hours - then 3 to 4 hours to install - it also looked like my car still had the original equipment

    In hind sight I like that mine has all Moog and KYB parts - has a smooth ride and a lot of the sway was removed

    This was a year ago - wife has put roughly 4000 miles on her's and I have closer to 30000 on mine - both still ride good - no problems

    Sad part is I swapped cars with her to get her alignment checked the other day - mine rides a little smoother in general but her's is stiffer and has less rear sway so corner's better - which is what I wanted to improve on mine

    Bottomline is for ease of purchase, price, installation and general use the FCT assemblies are vastly better - I have no experience with the UNITY option but I saw some posts where these were mentioned so maybe others can discuss how good they are - I don't know how long the FCT's will last but after driving the wife's car I think the FCT's are at least as good as going with the current KYB option and I love KYB shocks! I am now looking for options to stiffen up the rear springs and try and reduce more of the body roll

    Will update the list as things progress
     
  9. Brian in Tucson

    Brian in Tucson Active Member

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    I have a set of Unity's that I got from an Ebay seller for about $200. I haven't availed myself of installing them but they do look nice sitting on my front porch, waiting there patiently. I also have a pair of Moog control arms and new ball joints & tie rod ends. A good weekend's worth of work and then an alignment. Proper air pressure in the tires does help with the body roll. Maybe this winter I'll get to the steering and suspension.
     
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  10. 2002_Pri_Rod

    2002_Pri_Rod Member

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    Update to earlier post in this thread : Yesterday I installed a real coil spring auditor kit I got from a company called Leisurewize - ordered this out of England for $23 with shipping

    Kit arrived within a week - very easy to install and have some positive results. I have only driven it about 100 miles but a conservative estimate is that 50 to 70% of the body roll has been reduced - still has some sway but greatly reduced.

    Did not think ride could be smoother since installed new rear shocks and springs but it is - and definitely reduced the bounce factor - additional benefit is did not raise ride height - so far a plus

    I will update post if things change
     

    Attached Files:

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  11. Itsmeonprius

    Itsmeonprius Member

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    I fitted them as well and it's made a difference. I also fitted 15" wheels from a mazda with 195 50 tyres. All good so far.

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
  12. 2002_Pri_Rod

    2002_Pri_Rod Member

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    I also have 15 inch wheels and wider tires - improved handling but at the expense of a couple mpg

    See image
     

    Attached Files:

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  13. 2002_Pri_Rod

    2002_Pri_Rod Member

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    Yesterday I installed a real coil spring auditor kit I got from a company called Leisurewize - ordered this out of England for $23 with shipping

    Supposed to be "rear coil spring "

    I will update post if things change[/QUOTE]
     
  14. Raytheeagle

    Raytheeagle Senior Member

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    I wonder if your Gen4 neighbor ever gets Prius envy :whistle:?

    Your classic still looks good(y).
     
  15. 2002_Pri_Rod

    2002_Pri_Rod Member

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    We have two gen 1s and the neighbors have the red gen4 and I think their blue one is a gen 3 - up until about 6 months ago neighbor on other side had a gen2 - Prius heaven
     
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